Pioneers In Neuroendocrinology Ii

In the middle and late 1960s, when it was clear that neuroendocrinology was established as a discipline in its own right, it occurred to us that auto biographical accounts of the pioneer work in this field by the major par ticipants would provide a highly interesting and informative account of his tory in the making. With the death of G. W. Harris in late 1971, and the loss thereby of an outstanding pioneer and personality in neuroendocri nology, it appeared to us to be even more urgent to undertake such a ven ture and collect as many stories as possible. The three of us agreed that initially we would limit our invitations to the senior investigators whose re search careers lay mostly behind them, with the hope that if this venture proved successful, we could ask younger and still very active researchers in neuroendocrinology to contribute to a subsequent volume. Most of those invited to write for this book agreed to do so, but regrettably there remain some notable absentees. The authors were requested to write a personal, and even idiosyncratic, account of the steps taken, and the motivation and drive that led them to develop their interest in the relationship between the brain and the endocrine system.

This book is designed as an introductory text in neuroendocrinology; the study of the interaction between the brain and endocrine system and the influence of this on behaviour. The endocrine glands, pituitary gland and hypothalamus and their interactions and hormones are discussed. The action of steroid and thyroid hormone receptors and the regulation of target cell response to hormones is examined. The function of neuropeptides is discussed with respect to the neuroendocrine system and behaviour. The neuroimmune system and lymphokines are described and the interaction between the neuroendocrine and neuroimmune systems discussed. Finally, methods for studying hormonal influences on behaviour are outlined. Each chapter has review and essay questions designed for advanced students and honours or graduate students with a background in neuroscience, respectively.

Establishing endocrinology as a distinct medical specialty was no easy task. This engaging volume chronicles the journey through the stories of the men –and occasional women—who shaped the specialty through the ages. In 108 brief chapters, A Biographical History of Endocrinology illuminates the progress of endocrinology from Hippocrates to the modern day. The author highlights important leaders and their contributions to the field, including these early pioneers: Kos and Alexandria, and the first human anatomy Bartolomeo Eustachi and the adrenal gland Richard Lower and the pituitary gland Thomas Addison and adrenal insufficiency Franz Leydig and testosterone secreting cells Wiliam Stewart Halsted and surgery of the thyroid gland John J. Abel and isolation of hormones Hakaru Hashimoto and his disease Covering all the watershed moments in the history of the profession, the book identifies key figures whose contributions remain relevant today. Their fascinating stories of experiments and studies, advocacy and adversity, and exploring unknown territory will inspire the next generation of endocrinologists and satisfy every clinician who ever wondered "how did we get here?" This comprehensive yet concise biographical history of endocrinology will benefit not only practicing and prospective endocrinologists, but also other medical specialists and medical historians.

Originally published in 1990, Nobel Laureates in Medicine or Physiology is a biographical reference work about the recipients of Nobel Prizes in Medicine or Physiology from 1901-1989. Each article is written by an accomplished historian of medicine or science. The book is designed to be accessible to students and general readers as well as to specialists in medical science and history. Each article combines personal and scientific biography, and each has an extensive biography to guide further reading and research.

Melancholia, a severe form of depression, has stumped generations of clinicians. In the mid twentieth century it was connected to dysfunctions between the brain and the endocrine system. The authors trace the rise and fall of endocrine psychiatry from 1900 to the present in an effort to solve the mystery of melancholia.